Conservation Groups Expand Tennessee's Fiery Gizzard Trail

  • Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Today, TennGreen Land Conservancy (formerly the Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation) and The Conservation Fund announced an expansion along the popular Fiery Gizzard Trail in South Cumberland State Park.

By purchasing this land and adding it to the park, the partners helped secure the viewshed of the popular trail that will connect Denny Cove, Foster Falls and most of the park system.

The Conservation Fund and TennGreen purchased this tract vital to the park's and the Fiery Gizzard Trail's continuity and transferred it to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for permanent protection.
The acquired land contains rich forests essential for wildlife habitat and outdoor enthusiasts. A portion of Little Gizzard Creek runs through this land. 

“Securing this land and a portion of the Fiery Gizzard Trail for conservation will have lasting environmental and economic benefits for the community,” said Ralph Knoll, The Conservation Fund’s Tennessee state director. “We’re honored to have helped make this property permanently a part of South Cumberland State Park, one of Tennessee’s many iconic recreation destinations.”

Conservation of these unprotected forests along the Cumberland Plateau, particularly at Fiery Gizzard, is a priority for TDEC, the Cradle of Appalachia Initiatives by the Thrive Regional Partnership (of which TennGreen is a member), the Natural Treasures Alliance and the Southeast Conservation Blueprint version 4.0. TennGreen and The Conservation Fund are proud to have negotiated and facilitated this important land purchase, which was supported through the Open Space Institute. Now in TDEC ownership, the land will be managed for recreation and habitat protection, securing the property’s natural treasures from development, timber harvesting and mineral extraction.

"OSI is proud to have helped to secure this resounding conservation win for the state of Tennessee,” said Joel Houser, OSI’s Southeast field coordinator. “The Fiery Gizzard is a remarkable place that not only is a home for wildlife but also a tremendous boost to the local recreational economy. We congratulate TennGreen Land Conservancy and The Conservation Fund on their dogged efforts to see this land protected.”

“This is an excellent addition to South Cumberland State Park,” Jim Byson, deputy commissioner of TDEC, said. “The acquisition presents the potential for both forest preservation and recreation. We are grateful for the leadership TennGreen and The Conservation Fund have shown with this step.”

This expansion at Fiery Gizzard was supported through the Open Space Institute's Southern Cumberland Land Protection Fund made possible with funding from the Lyndhurst Foundation, Benwood Foundation, and Merck Family Fund, which seek to protect wildlife habitat and biodiversity in landscapes that are critical to facilitating adaptation to climate change. Additional funding for the acquisition was provided by The Tucker Foundation.
Outdoors
Green Thumb Garden Club Meeting Topic Is "Tennessee Smart Yards" April 8
  • 3/26/2024

The Green Thumb Garden Club of Collegedale/Ooltewah will meet Monday, April 8 at 6:45 p.m. at Chestnut Hall (in the Commons), 4950 Swinyar Dr. in Collegedale. The presenter is Master Gardener ... more

Ford Little Appointed To Tennessee Fish And Wildlife Commission
Ford Little Appointed To Tennessee Fish And Wildlife Commission
  • 3/23/2024

Ford Little has been named to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. A Knoxville native, he will represent Commission District 2 which consists of 11 counties. His appointment runs through ... more

2024-25 Hunting And Trapping Proposals Presented To Commission At March Meeting
  • 3/23/2024

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission heard proposals for the state’s 2024-25 hunting and trapping seasons at its two-day meeting which concluded Friday at Buffalo Ridge Refuge. The Tennessee ... more